Home opener win for No. 12 Men's Volleyball
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Redeemer (1-3, 1-3) | 18 | 19 | 25 | 18 | 1 |
|
Humber (2-1, 2-1) | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 3 |
By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications
ETOBICOKE – No. 12 Humber men's volleyball (2-1, 5th West) treated its home crowd to a dominant home-opening performance, cruising to a four-set victory (25-18, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18) over the Redeemer Royals (1-3, 8th West) Saturday evening at the Hawks' Nest.
Senior player Teyven Blackmore dominated the scoresheet, posting three season highs with 20 points, seven digs and five service aces.
The win wasn't the only reason for celebration in Etobicoke. After the match, the crowd, joined by former Humber players, honoured legendary head coach Wayne Wilkins, who enters his 30th season at the helm. Over three decades with the program, Wilkins continues to add to his legacy, cementing his place among Humber's greats.
Match recap
For the first time since February 2024, the home crowd at the Hawks' Nest filled the stands to welcome Humber men's volleyball back to Etobicoke.
Sitting at 1-1, Humber looked to build momentum early in the season and set the tone for another top-ranked OCAA campaign.
In the opening set, the Hawks took control early and never relinquished the lead. Both teams traded points at the net, but Humber gradually built a 16-12 lead before a Royals timeout. Led by Brazilian outside hitter Enzo Endres, who scored five points in the frame, the Hawks returned from the timeout stronger and closed the set at 25-18.
The Royals knew the importance of putting early pressure on the Hawks if they wanted something in this game, so they opened with a strong 3-0 push in the second. Humber found themselves in hot water early, but Endres answered with a solo block, and Teyven Blackmore followed with a kill and an ace to shift the momentum. The Hawks soon pulled ahead 21-14 and, despite a late push from Redeemer, captured the set 25-19.
The crowd watched a tightly contested third set as both teams traded points back and forth. The Royals managed to jump ahead by four at 20-16 and held on to their momentum to take it 25-22, avoiding the sweep.
The fourth set followed a similar script, with both teams battling back and forth and keeping the score close. But once the Hawks found their breakthrough midway, there was no turning back. Endres and Blackmore kept firing as Humber sealed the match 25-18.
Teyven Blackmore was named the Player of the Game, recording a season-high 20 points, a season-high seven digs and another season high from the service line, with five aces.
The win was not the only special highlight of the afternoon.
Head coach Wayne Wilkins was recognized for entering his 30th season at the helm. A key fixture of the Humber program for over three decades as a player, assistant coach and head coach, Wilkins was celebrated by the home crowd with a standing ovation.
Humber Highlights
- Humber improves to 39-20 all-time against Redeemer.
- The Hawks hold a 21-4 record at The Nest against the Royals.
- Head coach Wayne Wilkins boasts a 448-144 career record.
- Humber extends its home winning streak to 14 games, dating back to January 2024.
- Teyven Blackmore recorded three season highs in this match (20 points, seven digs and five service aces).
- Rookie Enzo Endres posted a career-high 19 points.
- Transfer setter Nicolas Kozij recorded two Humber career highs (29 assists and eight digs).
What's next?
No. 12 Humber will now have 11 days to rest before hosting the No. 15 Conestoga Condors (2-0, 2nd West) on Wednesday, Nov. 12. The first set is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.
